Favorite prep products during pregnancy

 < so glad to stock up on natural products like the wonderful ones in this bundle-of-joy set for little Baby B! >

Just a quick post on some of the items I totally loved while being pregnant with the little bundle I carried around for about 40 weeks.  Thankfully many of these things were recommended and/or gifted to me by sweet, caring friends who were sharing in my total excitement about Baby B's impending arrival!  So take note, if you are excepting your own little baby bundle, or have a friend that has a little one on the way, any of these products or books will be great to have on hand!

< reading that helped me feel prepared for the months of maternity, and for the early days that will be enjoyed with Baby B!  What To Expect When You're Expecting, The Happiest Baby on the Block, What to Expect the First Year, The Pregnancy Countdown Book, On Becoming Baby Wise >

< Mama Bee products kept my skin the most moisturized it has ever been!  These were so great to use as the pregnancy months went on- Burt's Bee Mama Bee Belly Butter and Nourishing Body Oil >

Pink pout

A while ago my friend was refreshing her pink lipstick after lunch with her mom, and her mom told her pink lipstick was 'out.'  We laugh every time this story is recalled, because how can pink lipstick for any girl ever be 'out?' Turn that lovely girly pout of yours into the perfect pink smile, and your day will be made just that much brighter!

1. L'Oreal Colour Riche Caress Stick in Pink Cashmere // 2. NARS 'Final Cut' Satin Lip Pencil (Nordstrom Exclusive) // 3. Love & Beauty sparkling lip gloss in Fuchsia // 4. Victoria's Secret PRO Smooth FX Lip Scrub & Balm // 5. Burt's Bees party lips lip balm // 6. Revlon Matte lipstick in Stormy Pink // 7. I Need Lipstick cosmetic bag

*collage created by me; image via

Pantone's 2014 Color of the Year: Radiant Orchid

Purple has never really been a favorite color of mine, but now that Pantone has named Radiant Orchid as the color of 2014 I find myself more and more drawn to this rich hue.  I'm not sure if the love of emerald I have will be overtaken by orchid this year, but in time we will see!  Here is a roundup of of some of twelve lovely radiant orchid pieces that will bring a little richness of color into your life! 

1. Stila lipstick // 2. Jessica Simpson heels // 3. DesignWallis journal // 4. Rebecca Minkoff Mini M.A.C. // 5. Hanky Panky boy short // 6. Bauble Bar spry drop earrings // 7. Ivy & Blue dress // 8. Nike running shoe // 9. Forever 21 necklace // 10. iPhone 5 case // 11. Laura Mercier eye shadow // 12. Butter London nail polish

My November Birchbox

A little joy arrived in my mailbox the other day, aka the monthly delivery of my Birchbox!  As the cooler rainy weather took over most of the days of this week, the little treats in this Birchbox delivery were just perfect for this time of year!  Each of these products was collected to do more good and add more good to my day- who wouldn't want that in life right now or any day?  Thanks for these great products for fall and goodness, Birchbox!  

P.S.- click here to sign up for your own Birchbox goodness!

< Such great packaging and presentation- so simple and attractive, much like the packaging designed by my favorite company >

< This Vasanti exfoliant will be great once a week for winter skin, and the Bee Kind body lotion has the most subtle sweetness about it >

< I'm thinking these are the perfect supplies for NYE >

< yummy teas for a hot drink on a cold morning >

My October Birchbox

I always do a little jump of joy when my Birchbox arrives in my mailbox each month.  As an adult, anything in your mailbox that is not a bill is rather exciting, right? The samples Birchbox has been sending my way have gotten better and better, and are always appropriate for the season.  The cooler fall mornings and evenings around here have dried out my skin, and lo and behold moisturizers galore arrived in this Birchbox shipment just in time!  Looking for your own chance at this beauty shipment for yourself?  You can click here and sign up today- as a 3P follower, I'm sure you'll love this beauty delivery just as much as I do!

< Each month the Birchbox team lets you in on their latest obsessions in their Beauty Buzz >

 < A little like Christmas morning for my beauty drawer >

 < I'm looking forward to using this two-step cleanser to purify and exfoliate after a long week- the muslin cloth will help provide a nice polish, too >

< This newly developed Chap Stick Hydration Lock will be in my purse all fall and winter, and the Aqua Lacquer Pop will color my lips without stickiness, which will be perfect for a windy day >

PS- I am crazy with joy over the delightful scent of Folle de Joie in this box!

Fall wish list

As the end of August approaches, even though summer weather is still heavy in the air on sunny days, I am dreaming of autumn and all the warm feelings that fall brings around each year.  On my wish list for the cooler days when golden leaves decorate the ground are cozy knits, aztec prints, burgundy and darker jewel tones for both fashion and beauty, and rich textures with a hint of gold.  It will probably be a few weeks before the weather cools down enough to wear any of this, but I just can't wait for those mystical fall days!

1. Dorothy Perkins aztec jacket // 2. Threshold chenille throw // 3. LOFT animal print dress // 4. J.Crew sweatshirt // 5. Stella & Dot tassel necklaces (1, 2, 3) // 6. OPI San Francisco nail polish set //

7. Michael Antonio ankle boot // 8. Stella & Dot snakeskin tech wallet // 9. Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Terra Copper

My August Birchbox

Beauty really is on the inside... for every individual and every single Birchbox box!  This month's shipment was full of treats that I absolutely love!  A fabulous red lipstick that is going to be a new staple for sure, some shimmering new eye shadows to try, an exfoliant that I am expecting to leave my skin shiny-brand-new, and even a bag of tea that smells amazing!  If you haven't tried Birchbox yet, or have just been waiting to sign up, go here and get it done!  The time is now, ladies and gentlemen (yes, they even have a great gift box program for guys)! 

 < This month's projects were about the finishing look- I loved the desktop on this card and have been reminding myself of what finishing school felt like once I 'finished' college! >

 < This stay all day liquid lipstick from Stila is amaaaaazing- I have never had a red match so well with my skin tone, and the 'stay' factor is truly serious.  It is definitely going to be my red-lipstick-kind-of-day bestie.  My 'perfect' smoky eyeshadow arrived crushed!  I am going to see if it is still usable... >

< During days filled with summer heat, a refreshing facial mist is this girl's dream... enter MIYU beauty essence, which is going to make a great addition to my purse for the rest of summer.  And there's that bag of tea I mentioned that smells amazing!  When the mornings cool down well enough for some hot tea to be enjoyed, I will surely be brewing up this concoction!

< Fresh feet wipes... for an exit from the beach or after a day of wearing open-toed shoes!  I am looking forward to treating myself to a mini facial with these WEI buffing beads- all you have to do is add this packet to a quarter-sized dollop of your regular facial cleanser! >

Current beauty favorites

Every now and then I like to share a snapshot of my favorite beauty supplies.  Back in high school, I rarely used any products- now I am possibly a product junky of sorts.  I love feeling pampered with great products- the only drawback is the tapping of my man's toes as he waits for me to finish using said products and FINALLY be ready to leave the house.  You know what I mean, beauty product ladies!  These beauty items are my favorites for this hot summer weather that seems to be never-ending.  Leave a comment and let me in on your favorite products for warm weather days!

Stella & Dot Elephant pouf, John Frieda Fine to Full blowout spray, Bumble and Bumble surf spray, Benefit CORALista, bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie lip gloss, Kate Spade Twirl, Benefit Fake Up, Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer,  Essie Come Here, Vaseline Spray & Go moisturizer 

My July Birchbox

A Birchbox delivery adds a little beauty to the day it arrives, and its contents can add beauty any time they are used!  This shipment contained plenty of perfect products for summer vacations, in perfect travel sizes.  My hair will be less tangled, my skin will be more moisturized, my hands will receive a gourmet sanitization, and the new Juicy scent in this box will surely become one of my new go-to sprays.  Not to mention, my face is super excited about this BB cream I get to try!

Looking for your own delivery of sweet beauty supplies?  Sign up for Birchbox here!

My June Birchbox

 < loving the new logo >

Another beauty delivery by Birchbox arrived in my mailbox a few days ago, and I had to tear it open with excitement!  I am loving the company's new logo, the cure chevron pattern on the interior of this box, and the signature pink tissue paper!  Not only did this delivery contain a nail polish I can't wait to use and some badly needed tanning towelettes, the marketing materials included in this shipment make me want to travel all over the world!  

< wanderlust... yup, I think I might have a touch of that! >

 < girly pinks- a lip liner and Color Club nail polish I cannot wait to debut >

< cute postcards from 'around the world' >

< an exfoliating face scrub that will be very useful this summer, self-tanning towelettes that I am looking forward to trying this bikini season, and the cutest polka dot nail files that I am going to stash everywhere! >

Want to try your own Birchbox?  Sign up here for all kinds of fun from this company!

My May Birchbox

< a box full of joy >

I always jump for joy when something fun arrives in the mail!  A great magazine or catalog, or in this case, a box full of beauty goodies, sure beats all those white envelopes you may dread opening!  Here is a peek into the goodies that arrived in my Birchbox this month.  I have yet to utilize any of these goods, but you can be sure that I will in the next few days, before this month of May is over!

 < sitting pretty >

 < the packaging by Birchbox is always so neat, colorful, and cute! >

 < sunscreen by COOLA, which will come in handy for sunny summer days; AMIKA hair mask- I am looking forward to trying my first hair mask!; and MARVIS toothpaste, perfect for travel! >

< a neat little eyeliner pencil by Sum!ta that I cannot wait to try!  My biggest hint for eyeliner pencils? Blast your hair dryer on warm on the tip of the pencil for a few seconds, to soften the product a little for lining and smudging >

< Fabulous by Isaac Mizrahi- fruity and totally alluring! >

My April Birchbox

Its a BEAUTIFUL day and a beauty filled kind of 3P post here!  A little gem of a beauty-filled Birchbox was delivered to my doorstep yesterday, and after peeling away the pretty pink tissue paper, I was met with some very exciting little gifts!  These little samples are just what I am needing this time of year!

 < Apparently tiny tweaks needs to be my beauty theme right now... obviously! >

 < April how have you come so soon and oh, wait, are those macaroons?! >

 < Sweetness!  Macaroons, eye cream, pink polish, and moisturizer for my hair and skin... plus a free subscription to Women's Health Magazine.  Score! >

< I totally need a bright pink polish, and this color changing one will be fun for the warmer months of this year.  I love a good eye cream and am excited to try this one out, and my scaly-looking hands are in desperate need of some moisturizer! >

Thanks Birchbox!

My Birchbox: March

I love it when a Birchbox delivery arrives in my mailbox, and it's a little bit like Christmas morning when you get to open this little box of surprises!  This month, the awesome Birchbox team sent me my favorite box so far- it included a lip/face stain that I love, a hairband that I have forever been wanting to try out, a perfectly 3P scent, and one of my absolute favorite beauty products- Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream.  With a few upcoming trips right around the corner, these little samples are going to be the perfect travel companions.  Have you tried Birchbox yet, or shopped their site?  You can sign up here, and do your own little happy dance each month that your Birchbox arrives at your doorstep!

 < A Birchbox perfect for this 3P girl! >

 

< Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream is great for dry skin, chapped lips, cuticles that need a little love, and ideal for soft feet during summer sandal season- I love it!  And this Benefit Benetint stain is a newfound multitasking favorite of mine- I will be purchasing this for sure >

< A little smirky 3P smile with my new Benetint lip stain and my Fiona earrings >

< Other fun contents in this shipment incude a beautiful Madewell for Birchbox nail file (so girly and fun!), a headband that is going to be stylish in my hair and also fun to wear on my wrist, and a new scent- Miss Me- which is light, sweet, and a wonderful spring scent! >

2 years!

TGIF, pretties!  This 3P blog turns 2 today- hard to believe, but so exciting to know!  Thank you all so much for your love, comments, and encouragement throughout the past two years- you 3P cheerleaders make my heart so happy!

 Here are just a few memories to enjoy from the 3P world this past year...

 < Created a how-to tutorial for a sock bun >

< Tried out a few new 'do's >

 < Had a blast traveling through Europe- see my travel pics here and here and my outfit pics here >

 < Was treated to a tropical escape in Fiji by the wonderful 3P man- take a peek at the snapshots from our trip and my outfits on the trip >

< Discovered some new makeup and beauty obsessions- see more beauty love here >

< Shared a few ideas for different ways to wear one item of clothing- see them here: 1, 2, 3, 4 >

< Completed a few DIY projects- the Martha in me will never die! >

< And of course, shared my daily style in my weekly outfit posts >

P.S.- You can see my very first-ever 3P post here, and the one-year celebration post here